UX & Visual Design Certification, University of Washington
Final Project:
Soft Skills Directory
Problem: “How might we help professionals become aware of their blind spots and accelerate learning soft skills to help them excel?”
- Instructor, UW UX & Visual Design Certification Program
Discovery (Phase 1)
I was part of a collaborative team of four students who actively participated in every stage of a project aimed at gaining insights into soft skills and their relation to career growth. We developed an interview plan, conducted interviews, and analyzed raw data using segmentation to develop a set of behavioral archetypes that captured the main characteristics of the problem space. Using this information, we created a Soft-Skills Growth Journey that helped us identify areas for improvement.
Additionally, we conducted ad-hoc competitive analysis and group discussions to create 30 cards related to soft skill development. Using an Open Card Sort method with 30 participants, we identified patterns in how users group information, which helped form our basic Information Architecture for organizing information related to soft skill development.
Design
After completing our preliminary research, our instructor asked us to work independently. At that point, I had a clear vision for the solution I wanted to create: an app that would serve as an information hub focused on soft skills, although the specific form of the app was still to be determined.
I began by sketching out ideas on paper, exploring potential user flows, and creating wireframes. At the same time I also began exploring soft skill logo patterns. With these initial concepts in mind, I developed a rough site map and used Figma to assemble a clickable prototype that could be used for further usability testing.
Discovery (Phase 2)
In our second research phase, we conducted a qualitative moderated usability study to test four soft skill concepts. Five participants were assigned different starting concepts and asked to complete three tasks while answering questions. The study aimed to identify the most effective designs and features.
I received positive feedback on my Soft Skills Database concept from the usability study, identifying both areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. Using this information, I moved on to the fine-tuning design stage.
Handoff
In the final phase of the class, I focused on polishing and refining my capstone project for the final presentation. This involved using insights from the usability study to improve the user experience, creating mood boards and style guides to establish the visual design direction, developing a logo and other branding elements, and producing a UI Kit for quick prototyping and to support future design iterations.
This capstone project was a challenging yet rewarding experience that allowed me to apply my UX design skills to a real-world problem. Through iterative design, I identified user pain points and created an effective solution. I learned valuable lessons in research, ideation, prototyping, and testing that I will carry with me. I am grateful for my talented team and proud of my final deliverable. I look forward to seeing its future impact.
Relationship with…
Instructor
As a student in the 6-month UX & Visual Design Certification program at the University of Washington, I worked closely with instructors throughout the entire process. Through various methods such as interviewing, card sorting, competitive analysis, user testing, sketching, wireframing, prototyping, visual design strategies, and presentation skills, I gained the necessary skills to successfully complete the course requirements.
Peers
Collaboration was a key aspect of this course, and I was able to foster a productive environment by communicating clearly, demonstrating leadership, and practicing patience. I encouraged open sharing of ideas and ensured that all voices were heard without judgment or fear of criticism.